A 21-year old female (A.M.) presents to the urgent care clinic with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever for 3 days. She states that she has Type I diabetes and has not been managing her blood sugars since she’s been ill and unable to keep any food down. She’s only tolerated sips of water and juices. Since she’s also been unable to eat, she hasn’t taken any insulin as directed. While helping A.M. from the lobby to the examining room you note that she’s unsteady, her skin is warm and flushed, and that she’s drowsy. You also note that she’s breathing rapidly and smell a slight sweet/fruity odor. A.M. has a challenge answering questions but keeps asking for water to drink.
You get more information from A.M. and learn the following:
• She had some readings on her glucometer which were reading ‘high’
• She vomits almost every time she takes in fluid
• She hasn’t voided for a day but voided a great deal the day before
• She’s been sleeping long hours and finally woke up this morning and decided to seek care
Vital Sign
Temperature 101.3° F (tympanic)
Blood pressure 88/46 mmHg
Heart rate 132 beats/minute
Respiratory rate 36 breaths/min, deep
Oxygen saturation % (SpO2) 91% on room air
Lab results
Serum glucose 657 mg/dl
Serum potassium 6.2 mEq/L
Urine ketones Positive
1. What is the disorder and its pathophysiology that you expect the health care provider to diagnose and treat?
2. Describe the etiology of the disorder A.M is experiencing.
3. Identify and describe the clinical manifestations of the disorder A.M. is experiencing.
4. Identify and describe the expected treatment options for A.M. based on the disorder and clinical manifestations.
2. Builds trust and transparency: Adherence to ethical principles fosters trust from stakeholders and ensures transparency in the analytical process.
3. Improves decision-making: Ethical considerations promote responsible use of data and findings, leading to more informed and well-rounded decisions.
4. Upholds legal and social norms: Ethical analysis ensures alignment with relevant laws and regulations, as well as broader societal values.
5. Promotes sustainability and long-term benefits: Ethical practices contribute to building sustainable and impactful outcomes from analysis.
Here’s a breakdown of the three main approaches you mentioned:
1. Consequentialism:
2. Deontology:
3. Virtue Ethics:
No single approach is perfect, and the most ethical decision-making often involves combining elements from all three:
Ultimately, the decision on which approach to prioritize depends on the specific context and values of the analysis. Consider factors like the stakeholders involved, the nature of the data, and the potential risks and benefits.
Remember, ethical analysis is an ongoing process, and regular reflection and adaptation are crucial for making responsible and impactful decisions.No, Donna should not treat Mary for her disordered eating. While Donna is a licensed professional counselor, treating eating disorders requires specialized training and expertise that she currently lacks. Here’s why:
Reasons why Donna shouldn’t treat Mary:
What Donna should do:
Considerations classmates might not have mentioned:
Donna prioritizing Mary’s well-being and ethical practice by referring her to a qualified specialist demonstrates responsible and ethical decision-making, ultimately benefiting Mary’s recovery journey.